272 
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. 
A Text-Book of Zoology, by Prof. T. J. Parker, F.R.S., and Prof. W. A. 
Haswell,.F.R.S. Vol.I., pp. XXXIX.+ 839, Vol II., pp. XX. + 728. 
(London: Macmillan & Coy tds, 19Ke))  Enice sos) met 
It is thirteen years ago since the first edition of ‘ Parker and Haswell ” 
appeared, and although the book was at that time warmly welcomed, 
probably few conceived the great influence the book would exercise amongst 
students of zoology. To both teacher and student alike the work has 
become indispensable, and it would scarcely be an exaggeration to say that 
the training of most zoologists of recent years has begun with the solid 
foundation of ‘ Parker and Haswell.’ 
A new edition of such a work is therefore of special interest and im- 
portance, as ina progressive science like zoology, new discoveries are being 
constantly made, and an opportunity is given of correcting the errors that 
persist in creeping into the most carefully edited of books. Bearing on this 
point a comparison of the second with the first edition shews an addition 
of two-hundred pages of letterpress, and 70 illustrations; and the errors. 
to which attention had been drawn by capable reviewers of the first edition 
have almost invariably been corrected. 
From the point of view of the student the scheme of the volumes is: 
exceptionally good. The Phyla of the Animal Kingdom, from the Pro- 
tozoa to the Chordata, are divided into classes, and a ‘type,’ or, as the 
book prefers it, * example,’ of each is described in detail. This is followed 
by an account of the distinctive characters and classification of the Class, 
the systematic position of the example, and the general organisation of 
the Class. ; 
The method of studying a group of organisms by a ‘ type,’ so much in 
vogue in the teaching of biology, has its dangers, in that the student is 
apt to get too stereotyped an impression of the organisation of the members. 
of animal or plant groups, and so to consider every organism but the ‘ type ’ 
as exceptional. These dangers, however, are largely obviated by the ‘plan 
of the present volumes. Z 
Considering the size of the work, errors are exceedingly few. We 
notice that in the phylogenetic tree, on page 525 of Vol. I., the Gephyrea 
and Hirudinea are still shewn as springing from the common stem, which 
eives rise to the Polycheta and Oligocheta, although there seems little 
doubt that the Hirudinea are modified Oligocheta, and similar links 
exist between Gephyrea and the Polycheta. To the specialist, the work 
may not seem sufficiently advanced, but recourse must be made by such 
to the ‘Cambridge Natural History ’ or some similar work. i 
On the score of illustrations the book cannot be too highly recommended. 
These are clear and well-chosen ; are conveniently placed near the letter- 
press to which they relate ; and are numerous, amounting in all to 1241. 
It is a pity, however, that no indication is given of the size of the object 
drawn, As to the printing and general get up of the volumes it need only 
be said that Messrs. Macmillan & Co, are the publishers, The work should 
certainly be in the library of every local natural history society. 
> S—_—__—— 
The Birmingham and Midland Institute has issued its useful Records of 
Meteorological Observations taken at Edgbaston, 1910, by Mr. Alfred 
Cresswell (2/-). The observations are tabulated, and published in a very 
methodical manner. 
From the Horniman Museum we have received a handbook to the cases 
illustrating stages in the evolution of the domestic arts. It is in two parts, 
sold at 2d. each. The first deals with Agriculture, the Preparation of 
Food, and Fire-making ; the second refers to Basketry, Pottery, Spinning, 
Weaving, etc. 
Naturalist, 
